Global positioning system (GPS) based secure access

ABSTRACT

Presented herein are systems and methods for global positioning system based secure access. A request for access to a computer network is received. A determination is made whether a mobile terminal is within a predetermined location. If the mobile terminal is within the predetermined location, access is granted. If the mobile terminal is outside of the predetermined location, access to the computer network is denied.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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[MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE]

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Passwords are a commonly practiced security measure that preventsunauthorized users from accessing computer systems as well asidentifying authorized users during an access. However, unauthorizedusers have used a variety of measures to ascertain the passwords ofauthorized users.

Once an unauthorized user has obtained an authorized user's password,the unauthorized user can access the computer system in the same manneras the authorized user. Often times, the unauthorized user accesses thecomputer system for malicious purposes. The activity of the unauthorizeduser is generally not detected until significant damage or disruptionshave occurred.

Requiring authorized users to change their passwords at regularintervals can curtail, at least to some extent, the activities ofunauthorized users. However, the regular interval time period is usuallyseveral weeks or months. During this time period, an unauthorized usercan cause significant damage and disruption. Even if the user changespassword daily, it could still not be effective to inhibit unauthorizeduser to do significant damage and disruption for that duration.

As a result, some computer systems use a time varying randomly generatedpassword for each authorized user. The administrator of the computersystem provides each authorized user with a device. The device includesa pseudo-random number generator that generates a code at relativelyshort time intervals, such as every minute. The computer system is alsoequipped to determine the pseudo-random number at a given time. When theauthorized user seeks to access the computer system, the authorized useruses the code generated and displayed by the device as the password.

The foregoing provides for quickly changing passwords that are valid forshort times. Accordingly, even if an unauthorized user does obtain apassword, the password is valid for a very short time period. Thissignificantly curtails the damage that an unauthorized user can do.

Nevertheless, such computer networks can still be exposed tounauthorized users. As an additional security precaution, some computersystems also require access by authorized users from a particular clientterminal. The particular client terminal is known as a secure terminaland is preferably located in a physically secured location. Accordingly,in order to gain unauthorized access to such a computer network, anunauthorized user would also have to physically breach the physicalsecurity at the secured location.

An unauthorized user can bypass the physical security at the securedlocation by gaining remote access to the secure terminal. Accordingly,remote access is usually cut off from the secure terminal. However,cutting off remote access to the terminal generally cuts of allcommunication between the secure terminal and the outside world, exceptbetween the secure terminal and the server for the computer network.This essentially reduces the secure terminal to a dedicated terminal foraccessing the computer network.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthrough comparison of such systems with the present invention as setforth in the remainder of the present application with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Presented herein are systems and methods for global positioning systembased secure access.

In one embodiment, there is presented a method for granting access to acomputer network. The method comprises receiving a request for access tothe computer network; determining whether a mobile terminal is within apredetermined location; granting access to the computer network, if themobile terminal is within the predetermined location; and denying accessto the computer network, if the mobile terminal is outside of thepredetermined location.

In another embodiment, there is presented an article of manufacture. Thearticle of manufacture comprises a computer readable medium. Thecomputer readable medium stores a plurality of executable instructions.The plurality of executable instructions are for receiving a request foraccess to the computer network; determining whether a mobile terminal iswithin a predetermined location; and granting access to the computernetwork, if the computer terminal is within the predetermined location;denying access to the computer network, if the computer terminal isoutside of the predetermined location.

In another embodiment, there is presented a communication network forgranting access to a computer network. The communication networkcomprises a server, and a wireless network. The server receives arequest for access to the computer network. The wireless serverdetermines the location of the mobile terminal through the communicationmedium using ‘Global Positioning System (GPS) technique. The servergranting access to the computer network is dependent on the location ofthe mobile terminal.

These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system for providing secureaccess to a computer network in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram describing the operation of the server inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary Global System for MobileCommunication Public Land Mobile Network that can be used in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a signal flow diagram describing the operation of acommunication network in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram describing an exemplary hardware environmentwhere an embodiment of the present invention can be practiced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram of anexemplary communication system for configuring a mobile terminal toprovide a time varying random password in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. The system includes a computer network 100 anda wireless network 130.

The computer network 100 includes a server 105 that is accessible over acomputer network 100 by a client terminal 115 in a physical location117. The computer network 100 is any electronic or optical informationdistribution network and can comprise any combination of a variety ofcommunication media, such as, but not limited to, the internet, thepublic switched telephone network, a local area network (LAN), and awide area network (WAN).

The server 105 may provide access to a database storing sensitiveinformation or the like, or allow individuals to perform varioustransactions. Accordingly, it is important to control access to theserver 105. As a result, the server 105 requires a password from theclient terminal 115 that validates the identity of the user at theclient terminal 115.

As an additional layer of security, the computer network 100 requiresthe authorized user to access the computer network 100 from the physicallocation 117. The particular physical location 117 is preferably aphysically secured location that is not accessible by the generalpublic. When an authorized user attempts to access the computer network100, the computer network 100 requests the user to provide a password.Additionally, the computer network 100 uses the wireless network 130,via terminal 125 to locate the position of a mobile terminal 120associated with the user. The terminal 125 is a terminal that has accessto the wireless network 130, either directly, or via another network.For example, the terminal 125 can comprises a computer connected toeither the wireless network 130 or the public switched telephonenetwork.

The computer network 100 grants access to the user, if the user providesthe proper password, and the mobile terminal 120 is located in thephysical location 117.

It is noted now that an unauthorized user needs, not only an authorizeduser's password, but also the ability to place the authorized user'smobile terminal 120 at the physical location 117 to access the computernetwork 100. Furthermore, even if an unauthorized user succeeds inremotely accessing the client terminal 115, the computer network 100will not grant the unauthorized user access to the computer network 100.Accordingly, remote access need not be cut off from the client terminal115. This allows the client terminal 115 to be used for other purposes,such as accessing the internet.

In one embodiment, as an additional security feature, the computernetwork 100 can use time varying randomly generated passwords. The timevarying randomly generated passwords can be displayed on the mobileterminal 120. Exemplary systems and methods for the foregoing aredescribed in “INTEGRATION OF SECURE IDENTIFICATION CARDS INTO CELLPHONE”, U.S. application for patent Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No.15469US01, by Relan, et al., filed Mar. 16, 2004, which is incorporatedherein by reference. During access, the authorized user provides thetime varying randomly generated password displayed on the mobileterminal 120. This additional feature virtually assures that theaccessing user himself is at the physical location 117. The mobileterminal 120 can also be integrated into the client terminal 115 forease of use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a block diagram describingthe operation of the server 105 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. At 155, the server 105 receives a request for accessto the computer network 100. At 160, the server 105 requests thepassword from the user. As noted above, a number of schemes can be usedfor allocating the password. In one embodiment, the password can be atime varying randomly generated alpha-numeric number.

At 165, the server 105 determines whether the password provided is thecorrect password. If at 165, the password provided during 160 isincorrect, the server 105 requests the password again from the user apredetermined number of times. If after the predetermined number oftimes (175) the user has failed to provide the correct password, theserver 105 denies access (180).

When the user provides the correct password at 165, the server 105 thenrequests, via terminal 125, a wireless network to check (185) thelocation of the mobile terminal 120 to determine (190) if the mobileterminal 120 is located within location 117. If the mobile terminal 120is within location 117, the server 105 grants access (195) to theauthorized user. If the mobile terminal 120 is not within the location117, the server 105 denies (180) access.

The server 105 checks the location of the mobile terminal 120 using awireless network 130. The wireless network 130 can comprise a variety ofcommunication networks, such as, but not limited to, the Global Systemfor Mobile (GSM) Communications, or the Personal Communication Services(PCS) network, IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN network, Ethernet etc.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a block diagram of a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (GSM) Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)210. The PMLN 210 is composed of a plurality of areas 212, each with anode known as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 214 and an integratedVisitor Location Register (VLR) 216 therein. The MSC/VLR areas 212, inturn, include a plurality of Location Areas (LA) 218, which are definedas that part of a given MSC/VLR area 212 in which a mobile terminal 120may move freely without having to send update location information tothe MSC/VLR area 212 that controls the LA 218. Each Location Area 212 isdivided into a number of cells 222. The mobile terminal 220 is thephysical equipment, e.g., a car phone or other portable phone, used bymobile subscribers to communicate with the cellular network 210, eachother, and users outside the subscribed network, both wireline andwireless.

The MSC 214 is in communication with at least one Base StationController (BSC) 223, which, in turn, is in contact with at least oneBase Transceiver Station (BTS) 224. The BTS is a node comprising thephysical equipment, illustrated for simplicity as a radio tower, thatprovides radio coverage to the geographical part of the cell 222 forwhich it is responsible. It should be understood that the BSC 223 may beconnected to several base transceiver stations 224, and may beimplemented as a stand-alone node or integrated with the MSC 214. Ineither event, in one embodiment, the BSC 223 and BTS 224 components, asa whole, are generally referred to as a Base Station System (BSS) 225.At least one of the MSCs 214 are connected to the public switchedtelephone network (PSTN).

The PLMN Service Area or wireless network 210 includes a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 226, which is a database maintaining all subscriberinformation, e.g., user profiles, current location information,International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers, and otheradministrative information. The HLR 226 may be co-located with a givenMSC 214, integrated with the MSC 214, or alternatively can servicemultiple MSCs 214, the latter of which is illustrated in FIG. 3.

The VLR 216 is a database containing information about all of the mobileterminals 120 currently located within the MSC/VLR area 212. If a mobileterminal 120 roams into a new MSC/VLR area 212, the VLR 216 connected tothat MSC 214 will request data about that mobile terminal 120 from theHLR database 226 (simultaneously informing the HLR 226 about the currentlocation of the mobile terminal 120). Accordingly, if the user of themobile terminal 120 then wants to make a call, the local VLR 216 willhave the requisite identification information without having tore-interrogate the HLR 226. In the afore-described manner, the VLR andHLR databases 216 and 226, respectively, contain various subscriberinformation associated with a given mobile terminal 120.

The GSM PLMN 210 also includes the capabilities of locating a mobileterminal 120, using what is known as a Global Positioning System (GPS) .The GPS uses a number of BTSs 224 in the vicinity of the mobile terminal120 to determine the physical location of the mobile terminal 120. Eachof the number of BTSs 224 use radio signals to determine the distance ofthe mobile terminal 120 from each BTS 224. The BTSs 224 transmit signalsto the mobile terminal 120. Responsive to receiving the signal from theBTSs 224, the mobile terminal 120 transmits radio signals. The radiosignals transmitted by the mobile terminal 120 are indicative of thetime that the mobile terminal 120 transmits the signals. Accordingly,the distance between the mobile terminal 120 and the BTSs 224 can bedetermined from the time delay between the transmission of the signalsand the receipt of the signals at the BTSs 224. A GPS node 236determines and triangulates the distances from several BTSs 224 todetermine the physical location of the mobile terminal 120.

In one embodiment of the present invention, during an attempted accessby a user, the computer network 100 requests the GSM PLMN 210 to use theGPS to locate the mobile terminal 120. Responsive thereto, the GSM PLMN210 reports the location of the mobile terminal 120 to the computernetwork 100. The computer network 100 then determines whether the mobileterminal 120 is within the physical location 117. If the mobile terminal120 is within the physical location 117 and the user provides thecorrect password, the computer network 100 grants access.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a signal flow diagramdescribing the operation of the communication system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. A user requests access to thecomputer network 100 by providing a password (signal 405) to the server105 of the computer network 100. The server 105 then validates thepassword (410). Upon validating the password, the server 105 then sendsa request (signal 415) for the position of the mobile terminal 120associated with the authorized user, to a GPS node 236 associated withthe wireless network 130.

The infrastructure of the wireless network 130 routes the request to anMSC 214 associated with the mobile terminal 120. The MSC 214 commands(signal 420) several BTSs 224 to determine the distance between the saidBTS and the mobile terminal 120. The BTSs 224 transmit radio signals(signal 425) to the mobile terminal 120 and receive radio signals(signal 430) from the mobile terminal 120.

The radio signals transmitted by the mobile terminal 120 are indicativeof the time that the mobile terminal 120 transmits the signals.Accordingly, the distance between the mobile terminal 120 and the BTSs224 can be determined from the time delay between the transmission ofthe signals and the receipt of the signals at the BTSs 224.

The BTSs 224 provide the time of receipt of the signals from the mobileterminal 120 to a GPS node 236 (signal 435). The GPS node 236 determinesand triangulates (440) the distances from several BTSs 224 to determinethe physical location of the mobile terminal 120. The GPS node 236 thenprovides the physical location (signal 445) of the mobile terminal 120to the server 105, via terminal 125.

The server 105 then determines (450) whether the mobile terminal 120 iswithin the physical location 117 and denies or grants access, thereon.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a block diagram of anexemplary server 105 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. A CPU 60 is interconnected via system bus 62 to random accessmemory (RAM) 64, read only memory (ROM) 66, an input/output (I/O)adapter 68, a user interface adapter 72, a communications adapter 84,and a display adapter 86. The input/output (I/O) adapter 68 connectsperipheral devices such as hard disc drives 40, floppy disc drives 41for reading removable floppy discs 42, and optical disc drives 43 forreading removable optical disc 44 (such as a compact disc or a digitalversatile disc) to the bus 62. The user interface adapter 72 connectsdevices such as a keyboard 74, a mouse 76 having a plurality of buttons67, a speaker 78, a microphone 82, and/or other user interface devicessuch as a touch screen device (not shown) to the bus 62. Thecommunications adapter 84 connects the computer system to a dataprocessing network 92. The display adapter 86 connects a monitor 88 tothe bus 62.

An embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a fileresident in the random access memory 64 of one or more computer systems58 configured generally as described in FIG. 5. Until required by thecomputer system 58, the file may be stored in another computer readablememory, for example in a hard disc drive 40, or in removable memory suchas an optical disc 44 for eventual use in an optical disc drive 43, or afloppy disc 42 for eventual use in a floppy disc drive 41. The file cancontain a plurality of instructions executable by the computer system,causing the computer system to perform various tasks, such effectuatingthe flow chart described in FIG. 2.

It is noted that the physical storage of the sets of instructionsphysically changes the medium upon which it is stored electrically,magnetically, or chemically so that the medium carries computer readableinformation.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for granting access to a computer network, said methodcomprising: receiving a request for access to the computer network froma client terminal; determining whether a mobile terminal is within apredetermined location, said mobile terminal being separate from theclient terminal; granting access to the computer network, if the mobileterminal is within the predetermined location; and denying access to thecomputer network, if the mobile terminal is outside of the predeterminedlocation.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: requesting awireless network to determine the location of the mobile terminal. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein requesting the wireless communicationnetwork to determine the location of the mobile terminal furthercomprises requesting the wireless communication network to use a globalpositioning system to determine the location of the mobile terminal. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a passworddisplayed on the mobile terminal.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thepassword comprises a time varying randomly generated alpha-numericnumber.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the location ofthe mobile terminal further comprises: determining the location of themobile terminal based on the received password.
 7. An article ofmanufacture comprising a computer readable medium, said computerreadable medium storing a plurality of executable instructions, saidexecutable instructions for: receiving a request for access to thecomputer network from a client terminal; determining, at least in part,whether a mobile terminal is within a predetermined location, saidmobile terminal being separate from the client terminal; granting accessto the computer network, if the mobile terminal is within thepredetermined location; and denying access to the computer network, ifthe mobile terminal is outside of the predetermined location. 8.(canceled)
 9. The article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein theplurality of executable instructions further comprise a executableinstructions for: initiating communication for access to the network.10. The article of manufacture of claim 7, wherein the plurality ofexecutable instructions further comprise instructions for: requesting awireless network to determine the location of the mobile terminal. 11.The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein requesting the wirelessnetwork to determine the location of the mobile terminal furthercomprises requesting the wireless_network to use a global positioningsystem to determine the location of the mobile terminal.
 12. The articleof manufacture of claim 7, wherein the plurality of executableinstructions also comprise executable instructions for: receiving apassword displayed on the mobile terminal.
 13. The article ofmanufacture of claim 12, wherein determining the location of the mobileterminal further comprises: determining the location of the mobileterminal based on the received password.
 14. The article of manufactureof claim 12, wherein the password comprises a time varying randomlygenerated alpha-numeric number.
 15. The article of manufacture of claim13, wherein the time varying randomly generated alpha-numeric number isgenerated by the mobile terminal.
 16. A communication system forgranting access to a computer network, said communication networkcomprising: a server for receiving a request for access to the computernetwork from a client terminal; a wireless network for determining atleast in part a location of a mobile terminal, said mobile terminalbeing separate from the client terminal; and wherein the server grantingaccess to the computer network is dependent on the location of themobile terminal.
 17. The communication system of claim 16, wherein theserver grants access to the computer network if the mobile terminal iswithin a particular location and wherein the server denies access to thecomputer network if the mobile terminal is outside the particularlocation.
 18. The communication system of claim 17, wherein the wirelessnetwork comprises a global positioning system for determining thelocation of the mobile terminal.
 19. The communication system of claim18, wherein the accuracy of the location of the mobile terminal is setby the server.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The communication system of claim 17,wherein the server granting access is also dependent on receiving apassword, wherein the password is a time varying randomly generatedalpha-numeric number displayed on or generated by the mobile terminal.22. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the wireless networkdetermines the location of the mobile terminal based on the receivedpassword.